AP Psych- Sleep, Drugs and Dreams

AP psych unit 5 *Drugs*

Consciousness

the mental state of being aware of and actively thinking about one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings at a given moment

Psychoactive drug

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk.

Tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect.

Withdrawal

the discomfort and

distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.

Physical dependence

occurs when the body has become dependent on a substance

Psychological dependence

a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

Addiction

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known adverse consequences.

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

Stimulants

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, Ecstasy, and methamphetamine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Methamphetamines

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide).

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations.

Nonconscious

refers to mental processes that occur completely outside of our awareness

Preconscious

Latent parts of the brain that are readily available to the conscious mind, although not currently in use.

Subconscious

refers to the mental level containing information that is not currently in a person's conscious awareness but still influences their thoughts and behaviors

Unconscious

represents the thoughts, desires, and urges that are actively repressed from consciousness and that affect mental activity outside of active awareness.